Characterization of a specific interaction between ADAM23 and cellular prion protein

Neurosci Lett. 2009 Sep 11;461(1):16-20. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.05.049. Epub 2009 May 27.

Abstract

ADAMs are transmembrane proteins implicated in several biological functions, including cytokine and growth factor shedding, fertilization, muscle and nervous system development. Here, we show for the first time that ADAM23, which is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system, co-localizes with cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) at plasma membrane of mouse hippocampal neurons and neuroblastoma cells. Co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down assay showed a physical interaction between ADAM23 and both recombinant and endogenous PrP(C). Glycosylation seems to be not relevant to the observed interaction since both ADAM23 and PrP(C) recombinant proteins expressed in bacteria or extracted from eukaryotic cells treated with tunicamycin are still able to bind each other. In vitro binding assays also suggested that the disintegrin domain of ADAM23 is able to interact directly with PrP(C). Taken together, these findings point out PrP(C) as a novel molecular partner for ADAM23 in the nervous systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / genetics
  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Glycosylation
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • PrPC Proteins / genetics
  • PrPC Proteins / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • PrPC Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAM23 protein, human
  • Adam23 protein, mouse